Professor Roger Dixon BEng (Hons), MSc, PhD, CEng, FHEA, FIMechE

School of Engineering
Professor of Control Systems Engineering

Contact details

Telephone: +44 (0) 121 414 5067
Telephone (2): +44 (0) 121 414 2626
Email: r.dixon@bham.ac.uk
Twitter: @RogerDixon70

Address: School of Engineering
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

Roger is Professor of Control Systems in the School of Engineering at Birmingham University.

He is a specialist in applied Control Systems, Mechatronics, Condition Monitoring, Fault Detection and Systems Engineering. Roger has published over 150 research papers and has lead major research activities in Industry and Academia.

His team in BCRRE at Birmingham work on research projects that have a strong focus on rail, but also include application to the road, aerospace and energy sectors.

Roger’s vision is to use his skills and enthusiasm to transform Industrial practice through a combination of world leading research and excellent teaching.

Qualifications

Fellow of IMechE (2011)
Fellow of Higher Education Academy (2006)
Chartered Engineer (2000)
PhD Control Systems Engineering (1996)
MSc Mechatronics (1993)
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (1992)

Biography

Roger was born in Morecambe, Lancashire and attended Lancaster Royal Grammar School (1981-1988). He was awarded a BEng (Hon’s) in Mechanical Engineering in 1992 and an MSc in Mechatronics in 1993, from Lancaster University. He studied for a PhD in discrete time modelling and control at the Centre for Research in Environmental Systems and Statistics (CRES), graduating in 1996. In October 1996 Roger took a position at ALSTOM in Leicester. Here he worked on and managed R&D projects involving the application of modelling, control and health monitoring techniques (applications included, power, hydraulics, aerospace, automotive, marine and rail).

Roger joined Loughborough as a Senior Lecturer in September 2003 and was promoted to Professor in 2013, having built a substantial Control Systems Group. This was followed by periods as Associate Dean for Research and Dean of Electronic Electrical and Systems Engineering at Loughborough.

Roger joined the School of Engineering at the University of Birmingham in May 2018, to lead the Control Systems theme within the BCRRE. His research and teaching interests span a number of technology areas: applications of advanced control, advanced actuators, fault-detection and health/condition monitoring, fault-tolerant control, system identification, system modelling & simulation.

Roger is a Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the IMechE and Fellow of the HEA.

Teaching

Roger has taught a variety of modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These range from introduction to control systems engineering to advanced modules in modelling, control, sensing and actuation.

Postgraduate supervision

Roger has supervised many students to successful conclusion of their PhD studies.

Usually specific opportunities are advertised on jobs.ac.uk and findaphd.com.

He is always open to discussions with potential future students and applications for PhD studies in his research areas. If nothing is advertised, please feel free to get in touch to discuss your interests and potential opportunities.

Research

Main research expertise

Control, Mechatronics and Systems Engineering
Modelling and Simulation
System Identification, system modelling and simulation
Model-based estimation and control design
Fault-detection
Fault-tolerant
Health/condition monitoring

Major research activities

Rail & Road:

Novel design of railway track switches
Active suspension and guidance
Condition monitoring systems for railway vehicles and infrastructure
Model-based control estimation and load management for electric vehicles

Aerospace:

Actuators for high-integrity applications
Model-based estimation and load management in generators and drives
Fault tolerance and distributed control of Gas Turbine engines
Fault detection in aircraft systems (actuators, fuel systems)

Other:

Condition monitoring of vacuum systems for nuclear fusion
Monitoring & Fault Tolerance in Liquefied Natural Gas Platforms
Model-based control of gasification plant
Condition monitoring of Wind-Turbines
Power plant modelling and control

Highlights

1996 First experimental demonstration of an autonomous piling machine
2000 HiL demonstration of Reliable Electric Actuation (REACTS) technology for Aircraft Engines
2002 First experimental demonstration of active “smart spring” concept for naval machinery rafts
2003 Patent Technology for Gas Turbine (sensor) fault tolerant control
2004 Benchmarking Study on Gasifier Control
2007 First Lab demonstration of control of a “High Redundancy Actuator”
2013 Concept Demonstration and UK patents filed for new REPOINT railway track switch
2017 Feedback control of HPSS Machine Demonstrated in Co-Simulation (self-adjusting switch)
2018 REPOINT Light actuator design complete

Other activities

A selection of recent Professional Activities include:

Chair of UK Automatic Control Council (2017-2020)
Chair of IFAC Symposium on Mechatronic Systems 2016
Chair of UKACC Int. Control Conf 2014
Associate Editor of Int. Journal of Mechatronic Systems (2016 – present)
Associate Editor of Int. Journal of Automation and Computing (2010 – 2016)
IFAC Technical Committee on SafeProcess (2005-present)
IFAC Technical Committee on Mechatronic Systems (2007-present)
Int. Program Committee Member for IFAC SafeProcess 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015
Int. Program Committee Member for IFAC Mechatronics 2011, 2013, 2019.
Int. Program Committee for Conf. on Control & Fault-Tolerant Systems, SysTol 2010 & 2013
Numerous invited talks on Track Switching including at “Future of Rail” 2016 (London) and TRA2018 (Vienna)
Invited lecture at workshop on “Time For Causality” - Sustain, Bristol (4/2012)
Invited lecture at EC workshop on “Advanced FDI/FTC”- Duisburg, Germany (3/2009)
External Examiner (UG) Bath University (2014-18)
External Examiner (MSc) Sheffield University (2017-present)

Publications

Journal Papers:

Farhat, N, Ward, CP, Goodall, RM, Dixon, R, (2018) The benefits of mechatronically-guided railway vehicles: A multi-body physics simulation study, Elsevier Journal of Mechatronics, Volume 51,pp115-126, ISSN 0957-4158, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mechatronics.2018.03.008.

Narváez C., R.A.; Blanchard, R.; Dixon, R.; Ramírez, V.; Chulde, D. (2018) Low-Cost Syngas Shifting for Remote Gasifiers: Combination of CO₂ Adsorption and Catalyst Addition in a Novel and Simplified Packed Structure. Energies 2018, 11, 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/en11020311

Bemment, SD, Ebinger, E, Goodall, RM, Ward, CP, Dixon, R (2017) Rethinking rail track switches for fault tolerance and enhanced performance, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, 231(9), pp.1048-1065, ISSN: 0954-4097. DOI: 10.1177/0954409716645630.

Bemment, SD, Goodall, RM, Dixon, R, Ward, CP (2017) Improving the reliability and availability of railway track switching by analysing historical failure data and introducing functionally redundant subsystems, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, DOI: 10.1177/0954409717727879.

Gowid, S, Dixon, R, Ghani, S (2017) Performance comparison between FFT-based segmentation, feature selection and fault identification algorithm and neural network for the condition monitoring of centrifugal equipment, Journal of Dynamic Systems, Measurement, and Control, ISSN: 0022-0434. Full text: http://10.0.4.91/1.4035458. DOI: 10.1115/1.4035458.

Harrison, T, Bemment, SD, Ebinger, E, Goodall, RM, Ward, CP, Dixon, R (2016) Rethinking Rail Track Switches for fault tolerance and Enhanced Performance, IFAC-PapersOnLine, 49(21), pp.260-266.

Gowid, S, Dixon, R, Ghani, S (2016) Characterisation of major fault detection features and techniques for the condition-based monitoring of high-speed centrifugal blowers, International Journal of Acoustics and Vibrations, 21(2), pp.184-191, ISSN: 1027-5851. DOI: 10.20855/ijav.2016.21.2410.

Gowid, S, Dixon, R, Ghani, S (2015) Profitability, reliability and condition based monitoring of LNG floating platforms: A review, Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 27, pp.1495-1511, ISSN: 1875-5100. DOI: 10.1016/j.jngse.2015.10.015.

Davies, J, Dixon, R, Goodall, RM, Steffen, T (2015) Multi-Agent Control of High Redundancy Actuation, International Journal of Automation and Computing, 1, pp.1-1.

Gowid, S, Dixon, R, Ghani, SAAA (2015) A novel robust automated FFT-based segmentation and features selection algorithm for acoustic emission condition based monitoring systems, Applied Acoustics, ISSN 0003-682X,, Volume 88, pp.66-74, DOI: 10.1016/j.apacoust.2014.08.007.

Goodall, R, Freudenthaler, G, Dixon, R (2014) Hydraulic actuation technology for full- and semi-active railway suspensions, Vehicle System Dynamics, 52(12), pp.1642-1657, ISSN: 0042-3114. DOI: 10.1080/00423114.2014.953181.

Hubbard, PD, Ward, C, Dixon, R, Goodall, R (2014) Models for estimation of creep forces in the wheel/rail contact under varying adhesion levels, Vehicle System Dynamics, 52, pp.52-370-52-386, Full text: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00423114.2014.901541. DOI: 10.1080/00423114.2014.901541.

Gowid, S, Dixon, R, Ghani, S (2014) Optimization of reliability and maintenance of liquefaction system on FLNG terminals using Markov modelling, International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management, 31(3), pp.293-310, ISSN: 0265-671X. DOI: 10.1108/IJQRM-12-2012-0156.

Khan, S, Goodall, RM, Dixon, R (2013) Non-uniform sampling strategies for digital control, International Journal of Systems Science, 44(12), pp.2234-2254, ISSN: 0020-7721. DOI: 10.1080/00207721.2012.687785.

Hubbard, PD, Ward, C, Dixon, R, Goodall, RM (2013) Real Time Detection of Low Adhesion in the Wheel/Rail Contact, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, November 2013 vol. 227 623-634(no. 6), pp.623-634, DOI: 10.1177/0954409713503634.

Wright, N, Dixon, R, Verhoeven, R (2013) Condition monitoring for a neutral beam injector cryopumping system, Fusion Engineering and Design, 88(6-8), pp.1236-1239, ISSN: 0920-3796. DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2013.02.048.

Ward, CP, Goodall, RM, Dixon, R, Charles, GA (2012) Adhesion estimation at the wheel–rail interface using advanced model-based filtering, Vehicle System Dynamics: international journal of vehicle mechanics and mobility, Online first publication, pp.1-20, Full text: http://www.tandfonline.com/. DOI: 10.1080/00423114.2012.707782.

Steffen, T, Schiller, F, Blum, M, Dixon, R (2012) Analysing the Reliability of Actuation Elements in Series And Parallel Configurations For High Redundancy Actuation, International Journal of Systems Science, Available online - to be printed, pp.1-18, DOI: 10.1080/00207721.2012.659694.

Grewal, KS, Dixon, R, Pearson, J (2012) LQG Controller design applied to a pneumatic Stewart-Gough platform, International Journal of Computing and Engineering, 9(1), pp.45-9.

Dwyer, VM, Goodall, RM, Dixon, R (2012) Reliability of 2-out-of-N:G systems with NHPP failure flows and fixed repair times, International Journal of Reliability, Quality and Safety Engineering, 19(1), ISSN: 0218-5393. DOI: 10.1142/S0218539312500039.

Khella, M, Pearson, JT, Dixon, R, Ciric, D, Day, I, King, R, Milnes, J, Stafford Allen, R (2011) Systems Approach for Condition Management Design: JET Neutral Beam System - A Fusion Case Study, Fusion Engineering and Design, 86(9-11), pp.2766-2769, ISSN: 0920-3796. Full text: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920379611002584 .

Grewal, KS, Dixon, R, Pearson, J (2011) Model-based fault detection and isolation applied to a pneumatic actuation system, comadem, 14(4), pp.40-51.

Khella, M, Pearson, J, Dixon, R, Ciric, D, Day, I, King, R, Milnes, J, Stafford-Allen, R (2011) Systems approach for condition management design: JET neutral beam system-A fusion case study, Fusion Engineering and Design, ISSN: 0920-3796.

Ward, CP, Weston, PF, Stewart, EJC, Li, H, Goodall, RM, Roberts, C, Mei, TX, Charles, G, Dixon, R (2010) Condition Monitoring Opportunities Using Vehicle-Based Sensors, Proceedings of IMechE Part F: Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, 225, pp.202-218.

Du, X, Dixon, R, Goodall, RM, Zolotas, AC (2010) Modelling and Control of a High Redundancy Actuator, Mechatronics - Special Issue on "Servo Control for Data Storage and Precision Systems", from 17th IFAC World Congress 2008, 20(1), pp.102-112, Full text: http://www/sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09574158 .

Bennett, P, Dixon, R, Pearson, J (2008) Comparing residual evaluation methods for leak detection on an aircraft fuel system test-rig, Systems Science, 34(2), pp.63-74, ISSN: 0137-1223.

Dixon, R (2006) The second ALSTOM benchmark challenge on gasifier control, IEE Proceedings: Control Theory and Applications, 153(3), p.253, ISSN: 1350-2379. DOI: 10.1049/ip-cta:20069004.

Dixon, R and Pike, AW (2006) Alstom Benchmark Challenge II on Gasifier Control, IEE Proceedings - Control Theory and Applications, 153(3), pp.254-261, ISSN: 1350-2379. DOI: 10.1049/ip-cta:20050062.

Dixon, R (2005) Benchmark Challenge at Control 2004, Computing & Control Engineering Journal, 10(4), pp.21-23, ISSN: 0956-3385.

Dixon, R (2004) Observer-based FDIA: Application to an Electromechanical Positioning System, Control Engineering Practice, 12(9), pp.1113-1125, ISSN: 0967-0661. DOI: 10.1016/j.conengprac.2003.11.013.

Daley, S, Johnson, FA, Pearson, JB, Dixon, R (2004) Active Vibration Control for Marine Applications, Control Engineering Practice, 12(4), pp.465-474, ISSN: 0967-0661. DOI: 10.1016/S0967-0661(03)00135-7.

Dixon, R and Pike, AW (2002) Application of condition monitoring to an electro-mechanical actuator: a parameter estimation based approach, Computing & Control Engineering Journal, IEE, 13(2), pp.71-81, ISSN: 0926-5805.

Liu, GP, Dixon, R, Daley, S (2001) Design of Stable Proportional-Integral-Plus Controllers, Int. J. Control, 74(16), pp.1581-1587, ISSN: 0020-7179.

Dixon, R, Pike, AW, Donne, MS (2000) The ALSTOM benchmark challenge on Gasifier control, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 214(1), pp.389-394, ISSN: 0959-6518.

Liu, GP, Dixon, R, Daley, S (2000) Application of Multi-objective Proportional-Integral Auto-tuning to the Gasifier, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 214(1), pp.395-404, ISSN: 0959-6518.

Dixon, R (1999) Advanced Gasifier Control, Computing & Control Engineering Journal, IEE, 10(3), pp.93-96, ISSN: 0956-3385.

Seward, DW, Scott, JN, Dixon, R, Findlay, JD, Kinniburgh, H (1997) The Automation of Piling Rig Positioning using Satellite GPS, Journal of Automation in Construction, 6(3), pp.229-240, ISSN: 0926-5805.

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